[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "Is the Gap Wedge a Score Booster?"

Gap wedges are useful for targeting the pin more precisely.

These days, gap wedges are gaining popularity among golfers.

The main reason is the desire for a more comfortable short game. Many golfers are removing their difficult-to-hit 3 to 5 irons and adding a gap wedge instead. Typically, there are four types of wedges: pitching, gap (also called approach), sand, and lob wedges, categorized by loft. The gap wedge usually has a loft of 48 to 54 degrees and is designed for shots covering 90 to 100 yards. It fills the distance gap between the pitching wedge and the sand wedge (The name derives from the club's design to fill the 'gap' between sand and pitching wedges).

This club excels when there are obstacles between the ball and the target, and when a slight run is needed after landing. The gap wedge is also known by various names, such as approach wedge (AW), utility, 48-degree, 50-degree, or 52-degree wedge, depending on the manufacturer. In the 1980s, the standard wedge setup included a 48-degree pitching wedge and a 56-degree sand wedge. There was an 8-degree loft gap and a distance difference of nearly 30 yards between these two clubs.

Because of this, there was a need for a 52-degree wedge that could cover the 100-yard distance, bridging the 90 to 120-yard range for more precise pin targeting. This is why the approach wedge, or gap wedge, was introduced. Since gap wedges come in a wide range of lofts, clubs between 48 and 54 degrees are now widely available. So, what loft is suitable for amateur golfers? If you want to target 100 yards, which is one club less than a pitching wedge, a 48-degree wedge is ideal.

If you need a club that goes 10 yards farther than a sand wedge, choose a 52-degree wedge; for the in-between 90 to 100 yards, a 50-degree wedge is appropriate. When used strategically, the gap wedge can be an extremely useful club and may become the hidden gem in your golf bag. Ultimately, the choice is up to each golfer, but if you are adding just one club, a 50-degree gap wedge is recommended; if you are adding two, consider both 48- and 52-degree gap wedges. The following is a conversation about gap wedges.

A: Which club are you going to use here?

B: I think I'll hit a gap wedge.

A: Well, what is a gap wedge golf club?

B: It is a golf club that is used for distances too short for a pitching wedge and too long for a sand wedge.

A: Who carries a gap wedge?

B: They are used by both mid- and especially low-handicap golfers.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, golf columnist